Lt Col Maneo Francis awarded Kirti Chakra
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2026: Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis, a native of Tadubi in Senapati district, Manipur has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, for his role in a counter-insurgency operation in Churachandpur, Manipur, in November 2025 .

The honour marks another significant milestone in the career of the officer of the 21st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), popularly known as 21 Para (SF) .

Francis had earlier received the Shaurya Chakra as a Major for his gallantry during an operation in Manipur on January 4�5, 2023 .

The official citation for that operation records his leadership, intelligence gathering and courage under fire while confronting armed insurgents.

Francis joined the Indian Army in June 2012, with his first posting in Assam.

He has now completed around 14 years with 21 Para (SF) .

He is presently posted in Bengaluru.

His latest recognition stems from an operation conducted against a non-SoO armed group in Churachandpur in November 2025 .

According to Francis, the operation had an impact beyond the immediate tactical objective, particularly on the ground situation surrounding administration and peace efforts.

He said the non SoO armed group had been repeatedly interfering with the functioning of the administration, threatening civil society organisation leaders and disrupting the ongoing peace dialogue.

Following the operation, however, the group "backed off", allowing greater space for the peace process to move forward.

Francis said the change has also given civil society organisations more room to communicate, engage and share their views, creating what he described as a degree of "opening" for dialogue.

For Francis, however, the recognition is not something he views as extraordinary.

He maintained that he was "just performing his duty" .

The Kirti Chakra therefore adds another chapter to the journey of an officer who has spent most of his military career with the Special Forces and whose operational service has been closely associated with the challenging security environment of the North East.

Comment